Over 750 students are graduating from Fremont High School on Wednesday. That’s the largest number of graduates since the school opened its doors in 1924. It’s also a 36 percent increase over the 553 graduates who graduated in 2010.

“This remarkable improvement demonstrates that when you get strong leadership, committed students and teachers, and involve parents and community, you can turnaround a failing school,” said Marqueece Harris-Dawson, President and CEO of Community Coalition. “At Fremont we are showing that real public education reform is possible and within our reach.”

Just two years ago, Ramon Cortines, then Superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), spearheaded a restructuring plan that included the removal of teachers and staff at the school to make them to reapply for their positions. That caused an uproar within the teachers union and the community.

Local community organizing organization Community Coalition helped parents and students come together to insure that they played a role in the school reform. They held a townhall with Superintendent Cortines, who listened to the concerns of students and parents.

The school’s restructuring brought in a new wave of resources and programming designed to transform what at the time was considered to be a failing urban school.

Graduation ceremonies for Fremont will take place on Wednesday, June 27, 5:00pm, at Home Depot Tennis Stadium, 18400 Avalon Boulevard, Carson CA 90746.